Author: Katie Landwehr

SR Shrivastav, CR DeVol, VM Landrum, KF Bjornson, D Roge, KM Steele, CT Moritz (2024) “Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation and Short-burst Interval Treadmill Training in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study”

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Journal Article in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering

Non-invasive neuromodulation may be an alternative approach that can improve outcomes in CP when combined with physical therapy. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a novel, non-invasive neuromodulation technique that can modulate spinal and supraspinal circuits especially when implemented with physical therapy.

A) Short-burst interval locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) with contact guard assist. B) Investigative spinal cord neuromodulation device (SpineX, Inc.) with stimulating electrodes on the T11 and L1 dorsal spinous processes and two ground electrodes on the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS - not visible). C) Spinal stimulation waveform with 10 kHz carrier frequency. D) Protocol timeline including the assessments before and after each intervention and after 8-weeks of follow-up. tSCS = transcutaneous spinal cord stimulationAim: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) and short-burst interval locomotor treadmill training (SBLTT) on spasticity and mobility in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: We employed a single-arm design with two interventions: SBLTT only, and tSCS + SBLTT, in four children with CP. Children received 24-sessions each of SBLTT only and tSCS + SBLTT. Spasticity, neuromuscular coordination, and walking function were evaluated before, immediately after, and 8- weeks following each intervention.

Results: Spasticity, measured via the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), reduced in four lower extremity muscles after tSCS + SBLTT (1.40 ± 0.22,) more than following SBLTT only (0.43 ± 0.39). One-minute walk test (1-MWT) distance was maintained during both interventions. tSCS + SBLTT led to improvements in peak hip and knee peak extension (4.9 ± 7.3° and 6.5 ± 7.7°), that drove increases in joint dynamic range of 4.3 ± 2.4° and 3.8 ± 8.7° at the hip and knee, respectively. Children and parents reported reduction in fatigue and improved gait outcomes after tSCS + SBLTT. Improvements in spasticity and walking function were sustained for 8-weeks after tSCS + SBLTT.

Interpretation: These preliminary results suggest that tSCS + SBLTT may improve spasticity while simultaneously maintaining neuromuscular coordination and walking function in ambulatory children with CP. This work provides preliminary evidence on the effects of tSCS and the combination of tSCS + SBLTT in children with CP.

KA Ingraham, HA Feldner, KM Steele (2024) “Forward first: Joystick interactions of toddlers during digital play”

Katie Landwehr JournalArticle, News, Publications , , , ,

Journal Article in PLoS ONE

Computers and technology are essential tools for supporting the development of toddlers with and without disabilities. Developmentally appropriate access to technology can support toddlers in learning and play. While touch screens are a popular interaction modality for children under the age of three, they may not be appropriate for all children or all tasks.

A child is pictured sitting in a Explorer Mini while using the joystick to play a directional cause-and-effect game on a computer screen, toddlers demonstrated a strong preference for initiating movement in the forward direction, irrespective of the target on the screen.Aim: We know comparatively little about how toddlers interact with joystick-based technology, and more fundamental research is required to understand joystick interactions at different ages and developmental stages.

Methods: We quantified how 36 nondisabled toddlers used a joystick to play a cause-and-effect game on a computer.

Results: Children demonstrated a strong preference for moving the joystick forward first, regardless of the target direction. On average, the oldest children navigated the joystick to the target 5 seconds faster than the youngest children, and were nearly twice as efficient in their joystick path.

Interpretation: These findings inform the design of assistive algorithms for joystick-enabled computer play and developmentally appropriate technologies for toddlers.

Dr. Steele featured on NINDS’s Building Up the Nerve podcast

Katie Landwehr Media, News

Dr. Kat Steele was featured on Season 5 Episode 5 of Building Up the Nerve, a podcast from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) which aims to help you strengthen your science communication skills with tools and advice to use throughout your career.

In the fifth episode of the season, Dr. Steele and other professionals talk about Securing Funding for Research focusing on choosing what funding to apply for, “pitching” your science to different funders, and writing effective grant applications.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify!

logo for the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Building up the Nerve podcast

AM Spomer, BC Conner, MH Schwartz, ZF Lerner, KM Steele (2024) “Multi-session adaptation to audiovisual and sensorimotor biofeedback is heterogeneous among adolescents with cerebral palsy”

Katie Landwehr JournalArticle, MotorControl, News, Publications , , , , ,

Journal Article in PLoS ONE

There is growing interest in the use of biofeedback-augmented gait training in cerebral palsy (CP). Audiovisual, sensorimotor, and immersive biofeedback paradigms are commonly used to elicit short-term gait improvements; however, outcomes remain variable. Because biofeedback training requires that individuals have the capacity to both adapt their gait in response to feedback and retain improvements across sessions, changes in either capacity may affect outcomes. Yet, neither has been explored extensively in CP.

Experimental protocol used to evaluate multi-session adaptation to multimodal biofeedback. Participants completed a four-day protocol using combined audiovisual and sensorimotor biofeedback. Audiovisual biofeedback on soleus activity was provided unilaterally on the more-affected limb whereas sensorimotor biofeedback was administered bilaterally using a resistive ankle exoskeleton. Each session was separated into baseline (1 minute), biofeedback (2, 10-minute bouts), and washout (1 minute) phases. The nominal torque value of the ankle exoskeleton was set at 0.1 Nm/kg during the first bout of the first session and incrementally adjusted by 0.025 Nm/kg over the subsequent bouts, according to the schedule shown. Overground walking data were collected pre- and post-intervention. A licensed physical therapist also performed a full physical examination at the pre-intervention session. Motion capture data were collected during at the pre- and post-intervention sessions and electromyography (EMG) data were collected bilaterally from the vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, soleus, and tibialis anterior across all sessions.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which individuals with CP adapt gait and retain improvements during multi-session practice with a multimodal biofeedback paradigm, designed to promote plantarflexor recruitment. Secondarily, we compared overground walking performance before and after biofeedback sessions to understand if any observed in-session improvements were transferred. 

Methods: In this study, we evaluated the extent to which adolescents with CP (7M/1F; 14 years (12.5,15.26)) could adapt gait and retain improvements across four, 20-minute sessions using combined audiovisual and sensorimotor biofeedback. Both systems were designed to target plantarflexor activity. Audiovisual biofeedback displayed real-time soleus activity and sensorimotor biofeedback was provided using a bilateral resistive ankle exoskeleton. We quantified the time-course of change in muscle activity within and across sessions and overground walking function before and after the four sessions.

Results: All individuals were able to significantly increase soleus activity from baseline using multimodal biofeedback (p < 0.031) but demonstrated heterogeneous adaptation strategies. In-session soleus adaptation had a moderate positive correlation with short-term retention of the adapted gait patterns (0.40 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.81), but generally weak correlations with baseline walking function (GMFCS Level) and motor control complexity (ρ ≤ 0.43). The latter indicates that adaptation capacity may be a critical and unique metric underlying response to biofeedback. Notably, in-session gains did not correspond to significant improvements in overground walking function (p > 0.11).

Interpretation: This work suggests that individuals with CP have the capacity to adapt their gait using biofeedback, but responses are highly variable. Characterizing the factors driving adaptation to biofeedback may be a promising avenue to understand the heterogeneity of existing biofeedback training outcomes and inform future system optimization for integration into clinical care.

 

Dr. Portnova featured on NIDILRR podcast

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Dr. Alexandra (Sasha) Portnova-Fahreeva was featured on Episode 19 of Spotlight, a podcast for the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), a federally-funded library focused on disability, independent living, and rehabilitation research.

In this episode, Jess Chaiken speaks with Dr. Sasha Portnova about Dr. Portnova’s experiences as a NIDILRR-funded fellow, her work in rehabilitation research, and the inspiration behind her podcast, Gears of Progress. They discuss the importance of scientific communication, mentorship, and the future of research in assistive technology.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify!